Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Massachusetts Lowell is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (16,598 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); University of Massachusetts Lowell is in Lowell, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; University of Massachusetts Lowell 17:1.

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Massachusetts Lowell than Amherst ($16,530 vs. $19,049).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Massachusetts Lowell are 12.2% lower than at Amherst College ($16,148 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 315.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Massachusetts-Lowell (about $53,514 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $16,966.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.4% higher at Amherst than at University of Massachusetts Lowell (about $34,216 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $36,264.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Lowell than at Amherst College (82% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 354.3% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Lowell students ($68,591 vs. $15,098).

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst or University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 260 points higher than at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (1280).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at University of Massachusetts-Lowell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; University of Massachusetts Lowell 1180/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; University of Massachusetts Lowell 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Lowell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; University of Massachusetts-Lowell Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at University of Massachusetts-Lowell (3.67).
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 18.1% at University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Amherst vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst and University of Massachusetts-Lowell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of Massachusetts Lowell's (50%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $26,700 more per year than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $12,025 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($12,975 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Lowell graduates ($134 vs. $258).
• More Amherst graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Lowell students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.